Liverpool can take advantage when depleted Bayern Munich visit Anfield

ESPN FC's Shaka Hislop delves into Bayern Munich's continued struggles in the Bundesliga and feels it'll be more of the same against Liverpool in the Champions League.

A solid weekend for the column after our 15/2 FA Cup treble cruised home. The Champions League again takes centre-stage this week and Liverpool's clash with Bayern Munich should be a cracker.

Running total: -£45.07

The Banker

Anyone who has studied Bayern Munich this season will agree they have a weakness defending against teams who press high and counter quickly. And if there's one thing that Liverpool do well it's turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye. That's why Tuesday's round-of-16 first leg between these European behemoths should be tasty. The Bavarian giants seem to be a club in transition. They have won the Bundesliga for six consecutive seasons but are currently second behind Borussia Dortmund and have not kept a clean sheet so far in 2019. They will also be without some familiar faces at Anfield with Thomas Muller suspended and Arjen Robben not having played since November. And, with Liverpool having enjoyed a rare weekend off, they should be primed for this. The Reds have not lost a European match at Anfield since October 2014 and look a really solid bet here at even money.

The Tasty Treble

Barcelona are a 4/5 shot to beat Lyon this week and that looks a price worth taking. Ernesto Valverde's side will be desperate to make up for last season's shocking exit at the hands of Roma and, with La Liga seemingly already sewn up, Barca can full concentrate on this French test. As stated, we fancy Liverpool to blast past Bayern Munich and they look difficult to ignore at even money. Finally, add Juventus at 5/6 'Draw No Bet' when they head to Atletico Madrid. The Italian giants are looking to reach their third Champions League final in five seasons and should have a bit too much quality for Atleti, who have not really made the Wanda Metropolitano a fortress this season. The Champions League threefold with bet365 pays better than 11/2.

The Euro Wager

In the Europa League Arsenal should be refreshed after a week off and have the players to overturn a 1-0 disadvantage at the halfway point of their tie with BATE Borisov. Their 1-0 defeat in Belarus was pretty shocking and further evidence that there is no place for the mercurial Mesut Ozil in Unai Emery's plans. The Gunners are 15/8 with bet365 to win with both teams scoring, and that looks a fair bet given their recent defensive fragility.

The Wildcard Tip

Manchester City continue to fight it out on four fronts and should be too hot for Schalke in Germany on Wednesday. Their opponents currently sit a lowly 14th in the Bundesliga and reached this stage after finishing second in a pretty weak Group D. Backing Pep Guardiola's men to win 2-0 is an 11/2 shout with bet365 and could be worth a small interest.